News Show

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FOLLOW UP: TESLA PUTS PRICES BACK UP

A week after their announcement that they’re slashing prices to Model S and Xs along with the closure of many US stores there has been a new announcement. Prices will now go on average 3% and many of the stores will remain open. To soften the blow of cars still costing significantly less than previously Musk stated owners could upgrade to ‘Autopilot’ and ‘Full Self-Driving’ capability for half cost. However, Tesla is now back tracking on this too. To read more click the Driving Electric article here.

In other Tesla news, the entire board of directors is being sued by shareholders over Musk’s Twitter use. To read more click the CCN article here.

HYUNDAI WANTS TO USE YOUR PHONE AS A KEY

Hyundai is proposing using your phone to unlock Hyundai and Kia vehicles, via their ‘Digital Key’ app. The claim is this will save us from searching for a key, as well as allowing easier vehicle sharing. To read more click the Motoring Research article here.

MISSION AUTOMOTIVE LAUNCHED

Mission Motorsport are running the new charity aimed at helping veterans find work within relevant automotive sectors. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is supporting the initiative. To read more click the Autocar article here.

JAPANESE OEMS TO BUILD HYDROGEN STATIONS

The main Japanese car manufacturers have reached agreement to build hydrogen refuelling stations in their home country. This venture will be called “Japan H2 Mobility”. To read more click The Journal . ie article here.

HYUNDAI TEST HYDROGEN TRUCKS IN SWITZERLAND

Hyundai will be selling hydrogen powered lorries in Switzerland, with an expected 1000 being delivered in the next five years. Most of these will go to the Coop retailer, and be used as delivery vehicles. To read more click the Swiss Info article here.

25% IGNORE SMART MOTORWAY RED ‘X’ SIGNS

RAC statistics appear to show that 25% of their members have driven under the red ‘X’ on smart motorways. Whilst these new roadways do have flaws, once again the idiocy of drivers magnifies this issue. To read more click the Motoring Research article here.

INFINITI TO LEAVE WESTERN EUROPE

In a restructuring move, Infiniti is closing it’s Western European operations, including the production lines in Sunderland. To read more click the Autocar article here.

GERMAN MANUFACTURERS COULD FACE EU FINES

Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen are reported to be facing fines up to €1 billion each for colluding on exhaust filtering systems, according to Der Spiegel. They are accused of reducing the AdBlue tank sizes and not fitting filters to petrol engines to reduce fine particulates. A four year investigation is nearing it’s conclusions. To read more click the Motoring Research article here.

GOVERNMENT AWARDS £2.8 MILLION CHARGING CONTRACT

BP Chargemaster has been awarded the contract to install electric vehicle charging points in the north of England, with Swarco eVolts doing the same in the South. To read more click the Motoring Research article here.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT IN POTHOLE WARNING

A new proposal, from the Department of Transport (DfT), include firms digging up roads must guarantee the quality of their completed works for five years. To read more click the BBC News article here.

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FORMULA E: HONG KONG

Edoardo Mortara was awarded the win, at Hong Kong, after Sam Bird’s penalty for hitting the then leader Andre Lotterer causing mechanical failure and ending his race on the last lap. di Grassi was second and Frijns third. To read more click the e-racing 365 article here.

WRC MEXICO

Sebastian Ogier won his second race of the season, for Citroën, in Mexico. Ott Tanank fought through to second on the last day, beating Elfyn Evans into third. This was a weekend to forget for Hyundai, with Neuville a very distant fourth. To read more click the Motorsport article here.

LUNCHTIME READ: GENEVA 2019 - THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY

LIST OF THE WEEK: FAMOUS 5 - RALLY’S GREATEST NOISES

This older article from Goodwood Racing is worth your time as it is their suggestion for the five best sounding rally cars of all time. Don you headphones, turn it up and enjoy each of the videos by clicking here.

AND FINALLY: JAXA AND TOYOTA TO EXPLORE SPACE

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Toyota have reached agreement to further investigate collaborating space exploration. To read more click the press release here.

REAR VIEW PODCAST

Don't forget the new show from the team at Motoring Podcast, Rear View, where we talk to fascinating people from the motoring universe. To go listen to the episodes already released on Apple Podcasts click here.